Belagavi: Unidentified miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at a theatre screening the Padmaavat movie here in Belagavi on January 26 night.

The incident took place at around 9:30 PM on Friday night outside Prakash Theatre in the city. Several moviegoers who had come to watch the night show as well as passersby on the street were taken aback by the sound of the explosion and started running helter-skelter. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

A video footage of the incident shows bike-borne miscreants hurling a bottle filled with petrol at the theatre which later exploded into a huge fireball sending people into a panic mode.

The screening of the movie resumed only after safety assurance from the police.

The controversial film has infuriated Rajput groups which allege that the period drama distorts history and hurts the sentiments of their community. Several acts of vandalism were reported in different parts of the country during protests against the film.

The film was finally released nationwide on January 25 having obtained a clearance from the Supreme Court after few states had decided to ban its release fearing breakdown of the law and order situation.